#WriterSpotlight – So far as there is a paper and pen nearby Ivie Eke will always write

Another Thursday is here again and you know what that means! We have another amazing writer for you to meet on our Writer Spotlight feature. Our guest today is Ivie. She is simple, passionate and ready to take over the world with her words. Find out more about this super talented writer as you read her interview with us.

Hello, please introduce yourself

My name is Ivie Eke – Ivy for short. I am from Benin City, Edo State in Nigeria. I am a constant introvert and an often reluctant extrovert.

What do you do?

I write poems, essays and short stories on my blog. For my day job, I work in the Business Development Unit of a Healthcare Non-Government Organization in Abuja, Nigeria.

Why did you choose to write or what led you to writing?

I can’t really describe what led me to writing; it has just simply been something which I’ve always done. English Language was one of my favorite subjects of study right from Primary School. From an early age, I would always write down my thoughts on pieces of paper, or in a journal. I’ve found that it is a way of easing tension and challenging my level of creativity. It is just last year that I decided to be very organized about my writing, which is why I started my blog.

Your twitter handle says you are a TV person, can you tell us what that entails?

Television is a great escape for me; laughing out loud or thinking deeply while watching TV shows is a great way for me to relax. I love comedies such as Friends and How I Met Your Mother, and dramas like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones.

What is your most challenging moment as a writer?

The moments I have found most challenging are those times when I experience writer’s block while writing a story-my mind would go totally blank and I would feel very frustrated. What I’ve learned however is not to overthink such situations; I would just simply start to write another part of the story, and eventually, an idea on how to continue from where I had been stuck before would come to me. The key is just to keep on writing.

Can you tell us your most rewarding moment as a writer?

I actually have two most rewarding moments; the first was when Stylist Magazine UK included a short poem which I had written on a list of their favorite poems (they had asked their social media followers to send in entries), and when I read poems I had written about my love for books and reading at an event held in Abuja recently.

If you didn’t become a writer what else would you have done?

I’m pretty sure that I will always be a writer. Even if I’m writing for just myself, it’s still writing. It never goes away.

Have you ever been rejected as a writer and how did you handle it?

Yes I have; I’ve pitched a few articles which were turned down. The good thing was that I was given clear feedback; for instance, to expand on an initial idea. It’s very important for me that I learn from such experiences so that the quality of my writing improves.

Will you ever retire from writing?

No, I won’t. So far as there is a paper and pen nearby, or a place to write notes on my phone, I will continue to write.

What do you do in your leisure time?

I read, watch television, listen to music, organize my makeup collection (for some reason, I really enjoy doing this!) and spend time with friends and family.

What would you pick;

Continental Food or African Delicacy? African delicacies for when I want to eat and be very satisfied. Continental food for when I’m feeling fanciful and not too hungry.

R&B or Hip/hop? Wow-this is a tough one. It depends on my mood. If I’m in a relaxed mood, I’ll listen to music by Anita Baker, Usher Raymond and a lot of 90s RnB music. If I’m in a hyper mood, I’ll listen to Hip Hop music by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z and Kanye West.

Fiction or poetry? I would rather read fiction than read poetry, but I enjoy writing poetry more than writing fiction.

Football or music? Music! Much to the disappointment of my two brothers who are football fans, I haven’t watched a match from beginning to the end in years.

Do you have a writing mentor? If yes why?

I will say that Chimamanda Adichie is my writing mentor-from-far. I love her writing style because she can make mundane situations appear very intriguing, and her novels show that it is not always necessary to make all the main characters in a book likeable, as long as you make them interesting.

Your best article or story so far?

My favourite article which I’ve written so far is a poem called ‘I am not afraid’, because it describes situations which should make me scared, but I then make a deliberate choice not to be scared of them.

Any last words for upcoming writers?

Yes – just start writing. Don’t overthink it. I started writing on pieces of paper and on my phone, and from there I started writing on my Facebook page, after which I started my blog. There are so many resources on the internet which can serve as guides in the writing process. Most importantly, enjoy your writing; it is something that should bring pleasure to both you and your readers.